TAVERNIER KEEPS THE FAITH

domestic football and sit ninth in the Primeira Liga. That’s seven places below Porto, whom Rangers beat 2-0 at Ibrox last month after a 1-1 draw in the Estadio do Dragao. Tavernier said: ‘We believe if we play towards our best we will go toe to toe with anybody, so I have full faith with the boys and everything we do. ‘The gaffer has got his tactics spot on with every game we have played, so we have full belief in whoever we play. ‘We have got to take advantage of our first leg at home. We have got to try and leave that first leg with a clean sheet and see what our front guys can do. Hopefully we can do that and finish the job over there.’ Niko Katic spoke last week of his wish to face Manchester United and Tavernier admitted others in the squad had also fancied a glamour tie. The Rangers players and staff watched the draw as they enjoyed a Christmas lunch at the Hummel Training Centre before visiting the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. ‘I know some lads maybe wanted a club like Manchester United,’ the 28-year-old told Sky Sports. ‘Our job is to play Braga now. Obviously our aim is to get into the last 16 and see where it goes from there. ‘They will have good players because to top a group with Wolves, who have been fantastic during their campaign, is notable.’ Meanwhile, former Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes has told Gerrard that Braga will be nothing like Porto in terms of their approach. ‘Porto play and chase and are open,’ said Mendes, who played at Ibrox from 2008-10. ‘Braga will approach it differently. They have different types of players and some of them are very good technical players. I’m not sure how Rangers will deal with it.’